The group signed its first record contract in 1990 as a quartet with Motown Records when the members were teenagers practicing in school bathrooms and hallways. The band’s first release in 1991, “Cooleyhighharmony,” combined soulful doo wop with hip hop flavors. The album sold more than 9 million copies and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

The album featured the single “End of the Road,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was featured in the Eddie Murphy film “Boomerang.” In 1994, Boyz II Men released its second album, “II,” which included the hits “On Bended Knee,” “Water Runs Dry” and “I’ll Make Love to You”—a single that spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the charts.

Boyz II Men has won four Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, two World Music Awards and has sold more than 60 million records. The group, now a trio, released its latest studio album “Love” in 2009. According to member Shawn Stockman, the album features cover versions of songs by “artists I don’t think people would expect us to cover.” Visit www.boyziimen.com to learn more.

Boyz II Men’s performance is the first of five shows in the North Central College 2010-2011 Fine & Performing Arts Season’s Contemporary Series. The Boyz II Men performance was originally scheduled for May 15, 2010, but postponed due to the group’s European tour.

This performance is one of many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call 630-637-SHOW (7469).